Todd,

There is nothing wrong with your DS buying a house.

Dubai is an interesting place. It's fast moving economy is driving an incredible construction cycle. Of the two components of construction costs, their case is highly skewed to materials. That's because they hire Indians by the hundreds of thousands, make them live in tiny concrete bunkers and work for about $160 per month (official minimum wage) but in many cases, they don't pay them at all. The advantage of not paying them is that the Indians cannot raise enough money to go home and they cannot buy automatic weapons and go "postal".

So the construction costs are highly influenced by the cost of steel and, oddly enough, the cost of concrete which I would have assumed would have remained fairly flat due to the abundance of rock and sand.

Your SS silence is deafening. lol

Here in California, we hire Mexicans by the hundreds of thousands, and make them live out in the bushes. Then we go protest them living in the bushes, and get La Migra to roust them.

However, we do pay them around $60.00 a day. We HAVE to pay them, because they can walk back home.

Nams, you are right on.

I am afraid that the function of the new hall follows form instead of the other way around.

And hey, if you need more clay, there is always South Carolina.

Do you deduct FICA?

Geez, believer, no wonder so many Mexicans are moving to Atlanta. Many of them start businesses because they have learned that with Atlanta's growth, there are not enough painters, sheetrockers, etc. They are making some good money here and turning out some delicious food in the bargain.

Todd,

Although there are other trace elements in stainless that make it harmful, what really makes stainless steel stainless is the Chromium content. Stainless looks nicer but low carbon steel is probably much safer.

And, since this discussion is obviously headed toward aluminum, can we pleeeeeze finally discuss malleability?

Could we divert the discussion a little to talk about what's the safest metal for jewllery? It's best to wear gold, silver, steel, titanium?

I know the fastest way to happyness are diamonds but emeralds, sapphirs and rubies come so close.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Ty Todd,

well it's said that glamour is back.

Has your WW invited you to TG? Does she know of the good news?


Pio,

I guess today is your TG. I wish you and your beautiful family a very happy day.

Happy TG to all who celebrate it !

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I echo that. Happy Thanksgiving. We all have much to be thankful for.

She did invite me. I told her I had other plans. End of conversation. DS1 and I are headed to a fine restaurant tomorrow.

The AP headline today proudly proclaims:

"Moderate gas prices boost holiday travel"

Poppycock! Holiday travel is like the proverbial mouse traveling thru the snake's body. And peope tend to travel during the holidays regardless of the price of gasoline.

The AP knows this, so what is their motivation to connect lower gasoline prices with increased demand? Very simple. They are trying to demonstrate a price elasticity relationship with gasoline demand. It doesn't exist. The demand for gasoline is relatively inelastic.

So, we have to question: what is the AP's ulterior motive? If we can be convinced that the price of gasoline shapes the demand curve, then we can be led to believe that increased gasoline taxes can stem demand. Then, if the government raises taxes on gasoline, they are doing it for the "common good". It will help the air, the water, caterpillars and muskrats. And your wallet because, of course, you will use less gasoline. Wrong. All the government really wants is more money. It has an insatiable sppetite for spending money. Don't fall for it or for its liberal co-conspirators like the AP.

And BTW, the radical environmentalists and the leftists in government warn us of our "insatiable appetive" for oil and gasoline. Again, nonsense. The consumption of gasoline in the US today is lower than it was twenty years ago, primarily because of CAFE standards.

Hi to everyone on TKO.

I came home today and found such wonderful news here on my favorite thread. Todd, I am so happy for you.
Pio - you are a pal. I so hope that all of you may get a wonderful surprise today!

I thank God for my many blessings and for the friendship I have found on this site.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I will catch up after the holiday.

Love Beth.

Hi Beth. So sorry to hear your recent news. Have a wonderful thanksgiving.

How are you BigK.?

I'm doing much better thanks. Must admit it knocked me out of the ballpark for awhile.

I have my fingers crossed that you may get a pleasant surprise today, but no hints! I'm just going to tease.

I know you count your blessings everyday.
Talk to you soon. Goodnight. Beth.